Over the weekend Delta Air Lines operated its final Boeing 777 flight. Earlier this year we learned about Delta’s sudden 777 retirement plansdue to the pandemic, which is something that would have been unthinkable a year ago.
Continue reading: Sad: Delta Operates Final Boeing 777 Flight
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
@ ben -- Sad and crazy...I guess the only upside is Airbus is better than Boeing.
Sad to see, but expected. I do think DL will be the only A350/330 operator in the US. I doubt UA will take 40 A350s and focus on 787s and AA is already committed to the 787/777 pair.
Seem like DL has become more like NWA than NWA became DL from an operational stand point.
Sad to see these go. I wonder if Delta plans on scrapping all of the new Delta One suites they just installed, or pulling them off these planes to install on other aircraft.
I doubt that the seats can be used on other planes. The 777 is quite wide, and the seats were designed especially and specifically for that plane. In all likelihood they would not work on the 359, 333, etc. because of this
To be honest, given the $100 million expenditure DL just put on these planes (and the fact that some of them are literally only 10 years old) I'm kind of surprised they're doing this. It seems like a kind of extreme thing to do (yes, I get that these times are extreme, but they will, at some point, get better. even if it's not till 2022, we will get a vaccine/herd immunity).
Nice tribute, Ben. I was on the DL8777 ATL-LAX (second-to-last 777 flight) along with a bunch of other AvGeeks, plus a few unsuspecting normal people, and am really sad to see her go. And in that comfortable 3-3-3 W/Y configuration there really wasn't a bad seat in the house. The 777s introduced me to the world, and I'll remember them fondly... at least until I'm squeezed into a 10-abreast version one day 😉
Slight correction to your post: it was actually 8x B777-200ER and 10x B777-200LR.
What’s really sad is Deltas onboard service right now. Claiming coffee is dangerous at 6am but serving beer is perfectly safe. Claiming serving juice on US flights spreads the Covid but serving it on international flights is safe. Time for a post calling them out on using Covid to justify their cost cutting.
Wasn't Delta late operating the 777 due to labor disputes? By the time they resolved it around the time of the 777-200LR, Delta didn't order too many of any 777's.
A350 is not a true flagship aircraft, it rocks in turbulence due to its light build and is more a 767 type of aircraft. Too Narrow and small to be a true flagship with litre freight capacity.
Delta have come out of the big league now with this change. Clearly a point to point rather than a hub airline into the future.
@derek: yes, DALPA and the company wouldn’t come to terms on pay rates so the aircraft arrived on the property without a pay scale.
https://money.cnn.com/1999/06/11/companies/delta/
I think Delta jumped the gun too quick to get rid of the 777LR's. Time will only tell when international air travel returns. I have never flown on the a350 but I really enjoyed flying on the 777.
I potentially see the same happening to CX. Many years the 777-300ER was their flagship aircraft. I have flown the route YVR-HKG-YVR literally a hundred times. Always loved the Cadillac of the skies, only downside: noise.
CX has now shifted to the A350, I like how quiet it is ans flown it maybe 10x the last 10months, yes even in current times. While it is much quieter and better cabin pressure etc, it does feel more flimsy and doesn't handle turbulence in the same way. I enjoy both aircraft and I am sure sad to see any 777 retire.
@Jimmy: Exactly, the onboard service is pretty bad. I’ve flown in economy and first class on Delta. Everyone gets the same snack bag while in first class on longer flights, you get a flight fuel box (fancy term for a bigger snack bag). No soda but you’re allowed to bring them on board.
Meanwhile, I’ve flown AA first class a few times and always got a hot meal. Even got a Jack and Coke with my meals. Come on Delta, step it up!
This is bad news for Boeing. Max issues will linger, cant get the 777-9 out of the gate properly with airlines delaying delivery.
Airbus is truly cleaning up at the moment, with the A350 becoming the flagship, and 787's operating the thinner routes.
Amazing times.
9 abreast 777 in Y... what a shame. Wished delta would just use them for domestic flights.
@Jordan to be fair, you cannot blame Boeing for that they cant get the 777-9 out of the gate properly with airlines delaying delivery.
I have flown both the 777(delta) and 350 (finnair) in economy comfort. Didn't really notice a noise difference. The 350 is quieter but its not like the 777 is noisy. Sad to see them go.